[bright music] - Hi friends!

It's Isabel and welcome to my reading nook.

Today we're going to be reading the story, "The Naming Ceremony," written by Seina Wedlick and illustrated, that's the person who drew the pictures, by Jenin Mohammed.

Every good story has a problem and a solution.

A problem is something that goes wrong in the story and the solution is how it gets fixed.

Today as we read this story, I'd like you to think about what could possibly go wrong in a story about a sister who helps choose a name for her baby sister.

Let's get started.

[uplifting music] "Naming Ceremony," written by Seina Wedlick, illustrated by Jenin Mohammed.

Amira is excited.

Today is her baby sister's naming ceremony.

Mama puts a coral bracelet on baby sister's wrists.

"How do I pick a name for baby sister?"

Amira asks.

"Think of something meaningful that you would want her to have.

A blessing, a wish, a story.

Each of your names were carefully picked just for you," says Mama.

"Now, baby sister will also get her own special names," says Amira.

"Yes, just as special as that little dimple in your cheek."

Amira sits quietly for a minute.

"What name do you have for baby sister?"

she asks.

"You'll have to wait and see," says Mama.

"We will start as soon as the baby wakes up."

"When you wake up little one, I will have the perfect gift for you," Amira whispers.

Amira strokes the red coral beads on baby's sister's wrist and looks at her own coral beads.

Mama also received one when she was a baby.

Grandma Nana too.

Amira loves all her family's traditions.

Ding-dong!

Guests!

It is Grandma Nana with the cousins.

The little twins, Onize and or Oricha run past Amira, laughing and giggling.

Mm-hmm.

Amira takes a whiff of the tray of akara.

"What gift do you have for baby sister?"

says Amira with a mouthful of fried beancake.

"Shakira," says Grandma Nana.

Shakira!

Surely baby sister has a lot to be thankful for.

But what if baby sister doesn't like the name she picks?

[gasps] Did you hear the problem in the story?

Me too.

Ding dong!

Amira jumps up and rushes to the front door.

It is Miki.

"Hi Amira!"

"What gift do you have for baby sister?"

asks Amira.

"Akahana.

This means bright red flower.

I picked this for your baby sister from our garden."

Red flower?

What a beautiful name!

Surely baby sister will be just as lovely.

Ding-dong, ding-dong!

It is Uncle Ali, the storyteller.

Boom, boom, boom!

He plays Amira's favorite tune.

She starts to dance and asks, "Uncle Ali, what gift do you have for baby sister?"

"Uhwe," he says with a wink.

Uhwe.

Moonlight.

Everyone knows stories are best told at night.

Surely baby sister will be a wonderful storyteller like Uncle.

Rat-tat-tat.

Uncle Ali plays another tune on his drum.

Soon Onize and Oricha are dancing along to his stories.

Ding dong!

It is her best friend.

"Hi Amira!"

says Tamas.

"What gift do you have for baby sister?"

asks Amira.

"Rubik.

I will teach her how to solve it."

Rubik!

Surely baby sister will be very brilliant.

Shakira, Akahana, Uhwe, Rubik.

Such interesting names.

Amira wonders if she should change her gift.

Will baby sister like the name she picks?

But it is too late to change her gift now because baby sister is awake!

"Baby sister, I have a present for you.

I'll be right back."

Amira hurries to the garden and announces loudly, "Baby sister is awake!

It is time to start!"

She runs to the kitchen.

"Baby sister is awake!

It is time to give her gifts!"

She stops by the playroom.

"Baby sister is awake!"

Amira hurries back.

She does not wanna be late for baby sister's naming ceremony.

The kitchen is empty, the garden is empty.

There is no one at the front door.

Everyone is squashed in the living room.

It is tight and cozy.

"Thank you all for gathering with us today.

We are honored that you have chosen to come and celebrate with us," says Papa.

"The name we have chosen is..." The room is silent.

"Habiba," says Mama.

"Habiba means beloved.

And today, we give Habiba the gift of names."

Amira looks at the room filled with family and friends from all over the world.

Beloved, it is perfect for baby sister.

And so it begins.

Everyone names Habiba until it is Amira's turn.

Baby sister stares at Amira expectantly.

Amira twiddles her fingers together.

Hers is the last gift.

She takes a deep breath.

"I name her Otta.

This means friend.

You will always have me as your friend," Amira whispers to Habiba.

Baby sister smiles her special smile with a little dimple in her cheek.

I love you Otta.

Wasn't that a great story?

Names are so very important and it looks like Amira was worried all along that her name just wouldn't be good enough.

Did you catch that that was the problem in the story?

And in the end, what did she realize?

That names are special and her name was perfect for her baby sister as well.

Today I'd like you to think about your name.

Our names are special too.

My name Isabel means beautiful.

What does your name mean?

Can you ask a friend or a trusted family member what your name means?

Why were you named your name?